Local environmentalists are concerned that the new Shute Harbour Marina Resort development, which is due to go ahead this year, will cause extensive damage to the fragile ecosystem at the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Whitsunday Conservation Council spokesperson, Tony Fontes, said that the project will destroy large areas of mangrove forest and seagrass meadows which are irreplaceable.
These areas are critical fish nurseries and the primary food source for dugongs and many sea turtles.
“Shute Harbour is an environmentally sensitive area and home to healthy coral reefs as well as iconic and endangered species including the dugong and sea turtles,” he said.
“Should this project go ahead, it is one more reason to list the Reef ‘In Danger.’”
Mr Fontes believes that a major issue will be the required dredging which will cause a serious water quality problem for the local marine life, particularly the coral reefs flanking the islands of Shute Harbour.
The $350 million Shute Harbour Marina Resort has been in the planning stages for over 20 years and developers say they have received all the necessary environmental and government approvals to begin construction within a year.
The project is set to include 58 managed resort dwellings with private marina berths, a retirement resort and facilities, a 400-berth marina, 100-room hotel, and 44 room backpackers’ accommodation.
It will create almost 700 jobs – 450 in the construction phase and 250 jobs ongoing and will be the first marina in Airlie Beach for 16 years since the construction of the Port of Airlie.
The picturesque Shute Harbour
